Zimbabwe set a new record score for T20 international cricket when they posted a massive 344-4 against Gambia in Nairobi on Wednesday, with Sikandar Raza hammering a 43-ball 133 not out.
Sikandar Raza blasted 133 not out off just 43 balls with 15 sixes as Zimbabwe racked up a record total in T20Is in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier B game against Gambia.
India chose to field and restricted Zimbabwe to 115 for nine in their 20 overs but were always struggling in their reply and were bowled out for 102 with Pakistan-born off-spinner Raza taking the key wicket of touring captain Shubman Gill (31).
Bangladesh got off to a winning start in the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe on Friday, as the Tigers began ramping up preparations for the forthcoming T20 World Cup with wins under their belt.
Minnows Namibia and Uganda beat out Zimbabwe in the African leg of the qualifiers last year to join the world's top teams at the tournament, jointly hosted by the United States and West Indies.
The visitors, led by all-rounder Sikandar Raza, will catch the Chattogram-bound flight at 9.30pm as Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium will stage the first three matches on May 3, 5 and 7.
Raza was charged for aggressively charging towards Campher during the 1st T20
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza starred with bat and ball as Zimbabwe beat Ireland by one wicket on Thursday in a thrilling opening Twenty 20 international of a three-match series.
Several changes have been made in the Zimbabwe side for the T20Is against Ireland. The Chevrons had recently failed to qualify for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, after failing to make it past the Africa Region Qualifier.
Sikandar Raza’s second ton in consecutive matches and skipper Regis Chakabva’s 75-ball 102, saw Zimbabwe clinch the second ODI by five wickets to clinch their first ODI series against Bangladesh since 2013.
The best of players are known to crave the pressure of performing against the wind, when chips are down. On Friday, Sikandar Raza made audiences witness once again that pressure makes diamonds as his gem of a knock, a 109-ball 135, entered into Zimbabwe cricket folklore.
Before the first ODI, Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal was of the opinion that the Tigers were favourites going into the three-match series against Zimbabwe. But he did warn that Bangladesh would have to play their best cricket to beat the hosts.
Sikandar Raza hits maiden Test century to stretch Zimbabwe's second-innings lead over Sri Lanka to 350 runs.
Check out the outstanding plays of the day from the second T20I between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at Mirpur stadium.